Device for measuring wall thickness



Aug. 12, 1947. a. HERZOG DEVICE FOR MEASURING WALL THICKNESS Filed Nov. 21, 1945 INVENTDR 6? #420 642204.

Patented Aug. 12, 1 947 .nrzvrcr: Fon MEASURING WALL rmcmss Gerhard Herzog, Houston,

Tex, assignorto The Texas Company, New York, N. Y., agcorporae tion of Delaware Application November 21, 1945, sex-mud. 630,018

5 Claims. (Cl. etc-sac) This invention relates to the measurement 01' wall thickness and more particularly to a device or rather an apparatus whereby the. thickness of a wall or plate can be measured without the use of mechanical calipers or the like and without the necessity of drilling or otherwise disfiguring the wall.

In measuring the thickness of an object such,

for instance, as a large plate or the wall of a tank or vessel by the so-called straight transmission method, a radioactive source is placed at one side of the wall and a radiation detector held at the other side of the wall opposite thesource.

of a wall of a large vessel where an operator outside the vessel, for instance, must locate the point onthe vessel's outer surface directly opposite the source of radiation affixed to the inner surface.

In my application, Serial-No. 630,017 filed concurrently herewith, a method and an apparatus aredisclosed for overcoming this dimculty. In accordance with that method a radiation detector relatively small in surface of the wall generally opposite the source in order to probe or explore the field of transmitted radiation and so tolocate the point of approximate maximum intensity. That point will, of course, be closely opposite the radioactive source. small detector the outputoi which, due to the small size of the detector decreases rapidly when moved away from the point of alignment with the source, is replaced by a larger detector which is responsive to a much larger portion of the transmitted radiation andhaving an output whichde creases very slowly whenthe detector is moved away from the point of alignment with the source. The output. of the larger detector serves as a measure'of the thic ess oi the wall between the detector and the source. v ,7

In accordance with the present invention; a

at such a point the size is moved about over thev When that point has been located, the

exploring probing the radiation field, i. e.,

measuring the intensity of. the radiation over a plurality of smallareas generally opposite the source, and, for subsequently measuring a much larger portion of the transmitted radiation at and around the point of approximate maximum intensity. The detecting device comprises a plurality of small detector units which may be gamma ray counters in case gamma radiation is used as the medium to be measured. The detecting units are connected to an indicating means in such manner that the output of one only of the units is measured during the probing operation after which the response of theother detectors can be combined with that of the first mentioned detector so that, in case the detector is slightly all true, alignment with the radiation source, an accurate measurement ofthe wall thickness can nevertheless be obtained.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is. a vertical, sectional elevation through a portlon'of a wallshowing the detector in place opposite the source,

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing how the several units of the'dete'cting device are elec-. trically connected, I

Figure 3 is a side elevation partly in section of a detector, I k

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 44.'of Figure 3, while Figure 5 is a typical curve showing the output oi one detector unit and also of all of the detector units.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawing a source of penetrative radiation such as gamma rays Ill is shown as mounted on one side of. a plate or wall l2, the thickness of which is to be measured. In case gamma radiation is used, the source l0 may comprise a small needle or capsule of radium or any other suitable substance either naturally or artificially radioactive and capable of emitting gamma rays. The source may be housed within a shield member of leader the the combined output like and maybe attached temporarily or perma such as, for instance,

' opposite the source. A

single radiation detecting device is proyid'ed for nently to the wall surface byany suitable means a permanent magnet not shown. The radiation fromthe source passes into the wall l2 in all directions as indicated by the dotted lines It and produces. a radiation "field at the surface of the "walLwhich field is, oi course, at a'inaxini at the point exactly radiation" detector" ll such as a G eiger-Muelleror other fcounte i or an, ionization c fim f-r. is shown opposite the source. "with electrical leads passingto asuitnia and argon.

rality of thin disc-like cathode plates 24 of a suitable metal such, for instance, as lead, these tor housing 22 may as to shield the able amplifier and indicator or recorder 20. The detector I3 is adapted to be moved about over the right hand surface of the wall l2 in order to probe the transmitted radiation field. The detector I8 is preferably several inches in length and from one to two inches in diameter although detectors of other sizes may be used if desired.

With reference to Figures 3 and 4, the detector or aluminum and which is adapted to be sealed to contain a gas or gaseous mixture such as petroleum ether and argon or anhydrous ammo- Within the housing 22 plates being maintained in spaced parallel relation by means of spacer rings 26. In the detector shown in Figure 4, each of the cathode plates 24 is provided with a plurality of holes spaced substantially uniformly with one hole 28 at the center and a ring of holes 30' surrounding the center hole. The cathode plates are arranged in the housing 22 so that corresponding holes will be in alignment. Through the center of the series of holes 28 a fine anode wire 32 is stretched and through the centers of the surrounding seare a pluries of holes similar anode wires 34 are disposed. One end of each .to a suitable insulating button or plug 38 disposed in an end plate 38, the buttons being arranged in alignment with the holes and the cathode plates. A cover plate 48 is adapted to be screwed or welded into the end of the housing 22. The other ends of the anode wires are secured by any suitable means to insulator buttons 36 in a plate or disc 42 near the right hand.

end of the detector, this plate corresponding to the plate 38 at the other end. As shown at the right hand end of- Figure 3 an electrical con nection or lead 44 passes through a suitable insuiating bushing 48 in a cover plate 48 and is connected to the center anode wire 32. A similar electrical lead 50 passes through the end plate 43 and is connected to all of the anode wires 34 in the ring surrounding the center wire. Another electrical lead 52 is connected to the housing 22 and thus to the cathode plates 24. A detector of the general type of that shown in Figure 3 is more fully described in my copending application, Serial No. 562,870, filed November 10, 1944. If desired, the side walls of detecbe surrounded by a layer of a radiation absorptive metal such as lead 56 detector from radiation entering the detector from directions other than through the end 40.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the detecting unit i8 is made up of a plurality, seven in this instance, of detecting units or counters. Obviously, when the anode 32 only, is connected to the indicating device 20 a small portion of the entire detecting device I8 is in use, However, when the anodes 34 are connected to the indicatingdevice 20 together with the anode 32, the entire device l8 will be in use.

With'reference to Figure 5, the curve 54 shows the output of a'small detector or single counter such as that portion of the device l8 when the anode'wire is secured tion the operation of single anode fore quite easy to locate a point almost exactly opposite the source by observing the response 0! the single detector or counter 01 which the wire 32 is the cathode. The curve 56 shows the output of a, larger detector which in this case is made up of the entire device shown in Figure 3 when all of the anodes are connected to the amplifying and indicating device 20. It will be observed that the curve 58 has a much broader peak than the curve 54 and therefore it would be diflicult when using the entire device l8 to align it exactly with the radiation source l9. However, since when all of the units in the device l8 are used together, the device is responsive to a considerably larger portion of the transmitted radiation 16 and any slight misplacement of the device, say by /1 inch from the point of true alignment with the radiation source, will not cause an inaccurate reading of the thickness of the wall. Y

Figure 2 shows clearly how the anode wire 32 in the centrally disposed series of holes and the anode wires 34 in the surrounding holes can be connected to the device 28 so that either the single wire 32 is in the circuit or that wire and all of the wires 34 at the same time. In the diagrammatic representation a switch 58 is shown as adapted to connect the anode wires 34'to the lead 44a. when desired. The lead 52a is shown as connecting the cathode plates to the device 20. Although in the detector shown in Figures 2-4 seve'n anodes are used, it is to be understood that a greater or lesser number may be satisfactory. It may-Ibe desired to utilize a larger'number of, anodes and to connect a center group together electrically to be used during the exploring operation, instead of the single in Figure 2. It is believed that from the foregoing descrip: the device will be readily understood. It is merely necessary to hold the detecting device l8 as shown in Figure 1 perpendicular to the surface of the wall l2 and to move the device about over that surface while-the 321s connected in the circuit. By the detector point of approximate observing the device 20 moved so as to flndthe maximum intensity at which point his held while the remaining anodes 34 are connected in the circuit as by means of the switch 58. The output of the entire device l8 will then, when properly calibrated, serve as a measureof the wall, since the amount of radiation from the source lli' transmitted to the detector will depend upon the thickness of the wall. I

In the copending application of A. H. Lord, Jr., L. M. Evans, R. B. Heath and myself, Serial No. 574,870 filed January 26, 1945, electrical circuits are disclosed which can be used in connection with the amplification and the indication of the output of the-radiation detector.

Although gamma rays have been mentioned as the medium to be measured it is to be understood that l0 may be a source of neutrons and each of the units in the device Hi can constitute an ionization chamber or a proportional counter. Obviously many modifications and variations of the invention, as hereinbefore set forth, may

be made without departing from the spirit and anode as illustrated l8 can be the thickness of tion adapted to be positioned at one side or said oi. a wall comprising a source of penetrative rawall so that said radiation will pass into said diation adapted to be positioned at one side of wall, a detecting device having an elongated houssaid wall so that said radiation will pass into said ng, a plurality oi detector units disposed in wall.-means for probing the field of transmitted parallel within and longitudinally 01' said hous- 8 radiation generally opposite said source to loing, all but one of said units being connected tocate the point of approximate maximum intensity gether in a bank electrically in parallel, means and for measuring the amount oi radiation transconnected to said one unit for indicating the outmitted through the wall to determine the thickput of that unit while the detecting device is ness thereof comprisingadetector havingahousmoved about perpendicularly to said wall gen- 1 in a plurality of cathode plates in said housing erally opposite said source in order to probe said arranged in separated parallel'relation, said plates field and locate the point of appr im mflxlbeing provided with several series or. parallel mum intensity, and means for connecting said aligned h l an n d wire disposed axially bank of units to said indicating means so that thrbugh e series r holes, t no wires in the Output Of all the units when the detecting all but one of said holes being connected together device is placed at said point of approximate electrically in a bank means connected t 1d maximum intensity will be indicated 594d indicathode bank and to said one anode wire for incation being a measure of the thickness of the dlcatmg the Output of a b f the detector wall at said point. I while the detector is moved about with said wires An apparatus measuring the thickness of 3. perpendicular to said wall to probe said field and a wall comprising a source of gamma radiation means for subsequently connecting the anode adapted to be positioned at one side of said wall wires m said b to said one anod wire t so that said radiation will pass into said wall, a the output or th entire dete'ctor whe'n placed detector having an elongated housing, a plurality at said point; f appmximate maximum intensity individual gamma ray winters named in will be indicated,said indication being ameasure,

parallel within and longitudinally of said housing, all but one of said counters being connected together in a bank electrically in parallel, means connected to said one counter ior indicating the output of said counter while the detector is moved 30 about perpendicularly to said wall generally oppooi' the thickness oi the wall at said'p'oint.

5. An apparatus for measuring the thickness 01' a wall comprising a source oi. penetrative radiation adapted to be positioned at one side or said wall so that said radiation will pass into said site said source in order to probe said field and means for probing the field of transmitted locate the point of approximatemaximum in, radiation generally opposite said source to locate tensity and thus the point approximately ppo the point of approximate maximum intensity and site said source, and means for connecting said measuring the ammmt radian bank of counters to said indicating means so that muted through the wall 'wmpmlng detector the output of all the counters, when the detector having a housing a plurality of cathode is placed at said point of approximate maximum in said musing arranged in a bank in intensity, will be indicated, said indication being g gg m 32 $325313; 2:: a s t h 40 a can e se e o we 0 the t h of-the wan at said with a plurality oi! series of aligned holes parallel 3. Anapparatus for measuring the thickness 01' and surrounding said first series, an a W l mprising a source 01' gamma radiation disposed axially thmulh each series of adapted to be positioned at one side 01' said wall the anode wires in said surroundlns hole! as so that said radiation will pass into sold well, connected together electrically, means connected means for probing the field of transmitted radi- B l fl h n and to h l!!! ation generally opposite said source in order to Posed anode Wire 1 n ng h Ou p 1' I locate the point of approximate maximum inportion of the detector while the detector is tensity and thus the point approximately oppomoved about with the aligned holes perpendicusite said source a d for measuring the amount lar to said wall to probe said field and means for or radiation transmitted through the wall stand subsequently connecflns e anode wires e around said point to determine the thickness of surroundlns holes to said first anode e no that the wallet said point, comprising a detector havhe output or the entire detector when placed at ing an'elongated housing, a plurality oi indisaid point of approximate maximum in ne! 'vidual gamma ray counters disposed in parallel ll b indicdtedlaid indlmtiimbelnl l W within and longitudinally or said housing. all f h thickness h w ll at id nt.

11: line or saidcounters being eionnected together a ank electrically in parall means connected to said one counter for indicating the output or R ERE 9 laid counter during said probing operation and The following references are of record in the means for connecting said bank or count t indicating means so that the output oi all me vtheoounters when the detector is plaoed'at'said' SA e point of approximate maximum intensity; will be a Number Name Date indicated, said indication being a measure or the 3,383,477 Friedman Aug. 28. 1045 at i 2397,07 "m, is, s 4. An apparatus i'or measuring'the thickness I 

